31From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 15 July 1763 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of May 30’th came safe to hand. The rival you mentioned I know not whether to think formidable or not as there has been so great an opening for him during my absence. I say ‘has been’ because I expect there is one no longer since you have undertaken to act as my attorney. You advise me to ‘go immediately and lay siege in form.’ You certainly did not think at the time you wrote this of...
32From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 9 April 1764 (Jefferson Papers)
This letter will be conveied to you by the assistance of our friend Warner Lewis. Poor fellow! never did I see one more sincerely captivated in my life. He walked to the Indian camp with her yesterday, by which means he had an opportunity of giving her two or three love squeezes by the hand, and like a true Arcadian swain, has been so enraptured ever since that he is company for no one. Betsy...
33From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 23 January 1764 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter of Wednesday the 18th instant; in that, of this day, you mention one which you wrote last Friday, and sent by the Secretary ’s boy; but I have neither seen nor heard of such a one. God send, mine of Jan. 19 to you may not have shared the same fate; for, by your letter, I am uncertain whether you have received it or not; you therein say, ‘you hope to have received an...
34From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 25 May 1766 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your last by T. Nelson whom I luckily met on my road hither. Surely never did small hero experience greater misadventures than I did on the first two or three days of my travelling. Twice did my horse run away with me and greatly endanger the breaking my neck on the first day. On the second I drove two hours through as copious a rain as ever I have seen, without meeting with a...
35From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 18 August 1768 (Jefferson Papers)
I sit down to petition your suffrage in favor of a friend, whose virtues and abilities have made him such to me, and will give him equal place in your esteem whenever you have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with them. The gentleman I speak of is the Revd. James Fontaine, who offers himself as a candidate for the place of chaplain to the house of burgesses. I do not wish to derogate from...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Peyton Randolph, 23 July 1770 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to beg the favor of your friendly interposition in the following case, which I hope you will think sufficient to excuse the freedom of the application. Sometime last fall Mr. Jas. Ogilvie proposing to go to Britain for orders made the usual application to the commissary for his recommendatory letter to the bishop. The commissary finding him somewhat deficient in his Greek expressed some...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Skipwith, with a List of Books for a Private Library, 3 August 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
I sat down with a design of executing your request to form a catalogue of books amounting to about 30. lib. sterl. but could by no means satisfy myself with any partial choice I could make. Thinking therefore it might be as agreeable to you, I have framed such a general collection as I think you would wish, and might in time find convenient, to procure. Out of this you will chuse for yourself...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Turpin, 5 February 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
I am truly concerned that it is not in my power to undertake the superintendance of your son in his studies; but my situation both present and future render it utterly impossible. I do not expect to be here more than two months in the whole between this and November next, at which time I propose to remove to another habitation which I am about to erect, and on a plan so contracted as that I...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Turpin, 3 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Below I send you a state of the prices of the books you mentioned in your’s as far as it is my power to judge without having seen them. Much depends on their being new, much or little worn, and also upon the editions. And besides this the prices are sometimes accidentally high or low. However I have affixed such prices as I have usually known them cost in England. If the Hawkins’s pleas of the...
40From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 26 July 1764 (Jefferson Papers)
I like your proposal of keeping up an epistolary correspondence on subjects of some importance. I do not at present recollect any difficult question in natural philosophy, but shall be glad to have your opinion on a subject much more interesting. What that is I will tell you. In perusing a magazine some time ago I met with an account of a person who had been drowned. He had continued under...
41From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 30 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the Treasurer ’s causes which I have undertaken to finish is a suit brought against you by Martar . As I am an utter stranger to the nature of the demand of the plaintiff, and of your defence I must trouble you to give me timely notice of both. If you would chuse subpoenas to summon any evidences be pleased to write a line to Mr. James Steptoe my agent at the Secretary’s office who will...
42From Thomas Jefferson to John Walker, 3 September 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Ero apud Society spring on Tuesday per quatuor. Fortasse et I. Lepus-æmula veniet. Apis ibi et tu quoque. Ferto sequelam tuam Septentrionalem. Ferto etiam, ut ante tibi præcepi, tabulam scaccariam. Oculus feram viros. Si possemus gignere tabulam pro hac vice expressè factam, lignum apis puteus. Sed de hoc postea confabulemur. Suntne bubulæ terræ patris tui in Augusta salvæ? Id est nonne sint...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander White, 19 April 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Your messenger being about to return before I have an opportunity of conferring with Mr. Blair on the subject of your caveats, I must undertake an answer to your letter tho’ deprived of his assistance. As to the small survey of 220 acres, we need be at no other trouble or expence about it, Mrs. Wood and James Wood not proposing to defend it, and Harrison (as I understand) laying no claim to...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Willis, 23 July 1766 (Jefferson Papers)
I am at length arrived here, after a long, but agreeable trip along the continent as far as New York; which however was less agreeable for want of a companion, whose equal curiosity might have kept one in countenance in rambling over the different places which lie on the road. This I expected from you, and wrote to you upon that subject early in the spring; and nothing could equal my vexation...
45From Thomas Jefferson to William Wood, 17 July 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
I obtained for you last June an order of council against Price for the 234. acres of land caveated by you. You must therefore before the 10th. day of December return to the Secretary’s office a copy of the order of council which will cost you 10/9, a copy of the survey, 5. rights 29/2, the governor’s fee 21/6, and Secretary’s fee 10/6 or the lands will be liable to a caveat. I observe Price...
46Draft of Instructions to the Virginia Delegates in the Continental Congress (MS Text of A Summary View, &c.), [July … (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that it be an instruction to the said deputies when assembled in General Congress with the deputies from the other states of British America to propose to the said Congress that an humble and dutiful address be presented to his majesty begging leave to lay before him as chief magistrate of the British empire the united complaints of his majesty’s subjects in America; complaints which...
47Memorandum Books, 1767 (Jefferson Papers)
Aug. 25. survey forfeited sold it to Edward Pharr for 37 lib. 10/ cash and gave him a deed &c. Payne after this expr essed sad ness at losing his mill but said he had rather it should be in his h ands? than any other’s. On which Pharr told him? if he would make up his money in a twelve month he would return the land. He agreed with Payne to keep the mill: Payne left the mill as there was no...
48Bond for Marriage License, 23 December 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Jefferson and Francis Eppes are held and firmly bound to our sovereign lord the king his heirs and successors in the sum of fifty pounds current money of Virginia, to the paiment of which, well and truly to be made we bind ourselves jointly and severally, our joint and several heirs executors and administrators in witness whereof we have hereto set...
49Memorandum Books, 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Recd. of J. May Summs. in Witt v. Biby and also in Bowyer v. Buchanan, but Qu. wherefore the latter having sent one before. 12. Handcock v. Walker and Witt v. Biby. Delivd. Summ. to G. Thompson. Henry Rose (Amherst) v. Joseph Lifely. Friendly caveat for 148 acres Amherst. Employed by Rose. 16. John McCue (Albemarle) v. Alexander Patten (Amherst) and David Kincaid (Augusta). Enter...
50Notes for Epitaph and Grave of Dabney Carr, [after 16 May 1773] (Jefferson Papers)
Inscription on my friend D. Carr’s tomb-stone. Lamented shade! [whom ev’ry] gift of heav’n Profusely blest: a temper winning mild; Nor pity softer, nor was truth more bright. Constant in doing well, he neither sought Nor shunn’d applause. No bashful merit sigh’d Near him neglected: sympathizing he Wip’d off the tear from Sorrow’s clouded eye With kindly hand and taught her heart to smile....
51Memorandum Books, 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Cash acct. in R. C. N.’s cases (till get into order). 1771 April 16. Scott v. Scott. Recd. 30/. May 4. Bowker v. Mimms. Recd. 25/. Octob. 15. Newby v. Bailey. Recd. 25/. 27. Archer v. Jones. Recd. 21/6. 31. Collier v. Mennis. 2 suits. Recd. £5. paper + gold .
52Memorandum Books, 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 7. Richard Vernon (Orange). Gave him advice for which took his note for 21/6. 8. John Stewart (Augusta) v. James Callison (Augusta). I was directed to enter this petn. some time ago, and did it, but it being still blank and so not chargeable I bring the memm. forward, to get rid of old books. So when necessary recur to rough memm. books 1770. Jan. 21. Mar. 8. Feb. 20. Aug. 22. Carter...
53Notice concerning Legal Fees, 20 May 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
ON serious Consideration of the present State of our Practice in the General Court, we find it can no longer be continued on the same Terms. The Fees allowed by Law , if regularly paid, would barely compensate our incessant Labours, reimburse our Expenses, and the Losses incurred by Neglect of our private Affairs; yet even these Rewards, confessedly moderate, are withheld from us, in a great...
54Notice of Sale of Wayles Properties, 15 July 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Two Thousand five Hundred and twenty Acres of land in Cumberland , commonly known by the Name of Saint Jame’s ; one Thousand four Hundred and twenty Acres in the Counties of Goochland and Cumberland , on both Sides of James River, opposite to Elk Island; and one Thousand four Hundred and eighty Acres on Herring Creek, in Charles City County. The above Tracts of Land were of the Estate of the late
55Notice of Sale of Bernard Moore’s Property, 10 January 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
To be sold to the highest Bidders, on Thursday the 31st of this Instant (January) at the House of Colonel Bernard Moore , in King William, Eighteen Hundred Acres of land for the Life of Colonel Moore , lying on
56Advertisement of Sale of Other Property and Effects of Bernard Moore, 21 February 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
To be sold to the highest Bidders, on the second Wednesday in March, being the Day before Caroline Court, at Colonel Bernard Moore’s Plantation in Caroline, The Stocks of cattle, hogs, corn , and fodder.
57Notes on the Progress of Certain Bills, [9–25 May 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
Entail bill (my own) May 9. 1774. leave to bring in the bill 10. bill read first time & ordd. to be read 2d time 13. Committed 19. reported & ingrossed 20. read 3d time and passed. General Entail bill May 25. leave to bring in bill to empower certain persons to convey away their lands. 26. presented, read, & to be read 2d time Road bill presentd. by Commee Cts. justce. read 1st. time & ordd....
58Further Notice of Sale of Wayles Properties, 9 September 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Five Hundred and fifty Acres of land in the County of Charles City , with a convenient Dwellinghouse and other Improvements, Two Hundred and twenty Acres, in the same County, pleasantly situated on James River. Two Thousand five Hundred and twenty Acres in the County of Cumberland , commonly known by the Name of Saint James’s. And one Thousand four Hundred and twenty one Acres in the Counties...
59Report on Parliamentary Procedure, [8 November–8 December 1769] (Jefferson Papers)
A.6. ✓ Resolved that a question being once determined must stand as the judgment of the house, and cannot again be drawn into debate. A.9. ✓ Ordered that the orders for the business appointed for the day be read by the clerk before any other matter be proceeded on. A.5. ✓ Ordered that when a question shall arise between the greater and lesser sum or the longer and shorter time , the question...
60Draft of a Declaration of Rights Prepared for the Virginia Convention of August 1774, [ca. 26 July 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration of rights and League for their support by the inhabitants of Virginia. We the subscribers inhabitants of the colony of Virginia do declare that the people of the several states of British America are subject to the laws which they adopted at their first settlement and to such others as have been since made by their respective Legislatures duly constituted and appointed with their...
61Advertisement for a Runaway Slave, 7 September 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
[7 September 1769] R un away from the subscriber in Albemarle , a Mulatto slave called Sandy , about 35 years of age, his stature is rather low, inclining to corpulence, and his complexion light; he is a shoemaker by trade, in which he uses his left hand principally, can do coarse carpenters work, and is something of a horse jockey; he is greatly addicted to drink, and when drunk is insolent...
62Memorandum Books, 1768 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 7. Inclosed writ in Christian v. Patteson to sheriff of Buckingham. 13. Samson v. Wm. Winston. The trial was in April 1758 (or within a court or two of it). Search S. O. for Kimbro’s depon. 14. Thompson v. Robertson. The def. is dead. Wm. Cabell has rented the land to Patr. Napier, Benjn. Thacker, & Anthony Askew. Send for escheat warrt. Delivered the sheriff the sci. fa. in Hickman v....
63Memorandum Books, 1770 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 3. Inclosed writs in Harrison v. Bernard and Howell v. Netherland to Carter H. Harrison. 5. Committed my opinion in Dr. Campbell’s case to writing. 21. Donaghe v. Leeper. Delivd. Summses. to pl. Waterson’s and Johnston’s cases. Recd. by Hugh Donaghe 308 English half crowns = £48–2–6, 4 half Joes = £9, 1 Caroline and Portugal peice of gold £3–5–7 ½, two doubloons = £8–12 and two pistoles =...
64Draft of Resolution concerning Adherence of New York to Articles of Association, [24 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Ordered that certain paragraphs in the public papers, said to have been the votes of the house of representatives of New York be read. The house of Convention taking into their consideration that the said province of New York did by their delegates in General Congress solemnly accede to the compact of Association there formed for the preservation of American rights, that a defection from such...
65Deed from Jane Randolph Jefferson for the Conveyance of Slaves, 29 September 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas Peter Jefferson did by his last will and testament bequeath to Jane Jefferson his wife one sixth part of all his slaves during her life, with power by deed or will to appoint the same to any of his children as she should think proper, and on his death partition having been made, the several slaves hereafter named with divers others were alloted to the said Jane: and whereas Thomas...
66Memorandum Books, 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
July 5. Roses v. Lifely. Wrote to Hugh Rose state of my acct. chargg. no new fee for 2d. caveat which makes the balce. £3–6–6. 7. Waterson’s cases. By written instrument of his (which see) the horse for which I gave him £20. is to be for my trouble with his caveats & petitions and as to his actions at law now depending whereon is a balance of £17–10. if I recover I am to have fees, otherwise...
67Resolution on Land Grants, [27 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
His Excellency the Governor having by proclamation bearing date the 21st. day of March in the present year declared that his majesty hath given orders that all vacant lands within this colony shall be put up in lots to public sale and that the highest bidder for such lot shall be the purchaser thereof, and shall hold the same subject to a reservation of one half-penny sterling per acre by way...
68Memorandum Books, 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 2. John Skip Harris (Cumbld.) v. John Hall (S. Carolina). Enter petn. for 750. as. Bedford on both sides of Calloway’s waggon road patd. by def. Dec. 23. 1754. 3. Thomas Jefferson (myself) v. Thos. Mann Randolph (Goochld.). Enter friendly cav. for 400. as. land Albemarle on the South West mountains adjoining Edgehill. 8. John Hylton estate. Give credit for two gross of bottles £3. 9....
69Notice of Bidding for the Erection of a Prison, 31 January 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
To be let to the lowest bidder, on Thursday the 14 th of March, at Charlottesville, in Albemarle, The building of a prison of brick, with two rooms below, and two above stairs. Plans
70Further Advertisement of Sale of Bernard Moore’s Property, 28 February 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
To be sold to the highest Bidders, on the third Thursday in March, at King William Courthouse, being Court Day , Eleven Hundred and twenty five Acres of exceeding fine well timbered land lying on Pamunkey , below Ruffin’s
71Agreement with John Randolph, 11 [April?] 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
It is agreed between John Randolph, Esq., of the City of Williamsburg, and Thomas Jefferson, of the County of Albemarle, that in case the said John shall survive the said Thomas, that the Executors or Administrators of the said Thomas shall deliver to the said John 100 pounds sterling of the books of the said Thomas, to be chosen by the said John, or if not books sufficient, the deficiency to...